US 7,451,767 B2 · Sleep appliance

Abstract

A dental oral appliance for use with patients who suffer with sleep disorders, to reduce or eliminate snoring and to open the airway for a sleeping individual who suffers with obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance covers the inside (lingual) of the upper teeth and has an open palate. Retention for the appliance is provided by either clasps placed over the upper right and left molars and a retainer in the anterior area or by an occlusal coverge of the upper teeth. A raised incisor ramp that extends from the incisal tip (biting edge) of the incisors toward the lingual, or posterior raised ramps, separate the posterior teeth to reduce spasm on the temporalis muscle. A transverse, transpalatal ramp, which extends from the inside (lingual) of the upper right molars to the inside of the upper left molars, covers the tongue and holds it down, opening the airway.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A dental oral appliance to open the airway for a sleeping individual who suffers with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea comprising, a body having an open palate, an occlusal coverage to removably affix the appliance to the upper teeth, structure configured to prevent occlusion of the upper and lower teeth, a transpalatal member, configured to provide a gap between the transpalatal member and the palate, that extends from the inside of the upper right molars to the inside of the upper left molars to inhibit the backward and upward movement of the tongue during sleep further comprising a plurality of raised projections on the bottom of the transpalatal member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sleep appliance

Life of this patent

Sleep appliance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14